Sarah Haley

I read some interesting texts that are quite canonic in the discipline of History. But overall I feel like I'm coming out of this course not having learned all that much.

It was rarely clear what we were actually meant to be learning from the readings in any given week, but sometimes the look at new perspectives was helpful.

I learned what my classmates are like. I learned about a handful of historical methods, such as microhistory, critical fabulation, and social history.

I learned different methodological approaches to historical analysis, how to better think through historical questions and develop historical projects, and how to critically engage with methodological debates in the field.

I definitely was exposed to different parts of the discipline which was unique. Also, having to prepare a class discussion was useful as we prepare to TA next year.

I think this course gave me a good understanding of some of the debates in the field. Perhaps most importantly, it gave me a sense of the standards with which historians should engage with each other's research. Although few of the readings we covered in this course addresses my topic specifically, I have benefited from the theoretical frameworks and perspectives that we discussed. What I did get from the course, I found inspiring. What escaped my attention contributed to my sense that history is a vast and vibrant field, and my topic is just one of many many that deserves attention.

I just did not learn a lot and the discussion was not always very lively or engaging.

I think either instructor could teach a great course on historical method for their respective subfields, but the way this course was designed just did not work.

You have no choice but to take this course. Congratulations. It's a mixed bag, so get out of it what you can.

I think this class should be capped at 15 students to better foster discussions.